Historical Events in Painting:

HerodotusQueen Tomyris and King Cyrus. The most detailed and earliest
account of the story is given by Herodotus. Cyrus, the greatest Persian
king (c. 550 BC), sought to conquer the Messagetae which was ruled by the
widowed queen Tomyris. First he tried to woo her, but after she refused
he captured and killed Tomyris's son. Then she vowed to evenge. Another
battle Tomyris's troops won, she found his body, cut off the head and put
it in a bowl of blood with the famous words 'Satia te sanguine quem semper
sitisti' (Sate thyself on the blood for which thou hast always thirsted).
See: Rubens Queen Tomyris before the Head of Cyrus.